U.S. Marines, French Army sight in on air-defense training in Djibouti
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08.19.2012 05:26
DJIBOUTI - U.S. Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's
Low-Altitude Air Defense, or LAAD, section with Marine Medium Tiltrotor
Squadron 261 (Reinforced) trained shoulder-to-shoulder with their
air-defense counterparts from the French army Aug. 9 - 13 near Djibouti,
Djibouti.
American and French service members spent several days getting to know each
other and their anti-air weapon systems before culminating with a simulation
scenario that benefitted from the arrival of French aircraft as simulated
targets.
The American gunners sighted in using FIM-92 Stinger missile systems while
the soldiers, from the 54th Artillery Regiment based out of Hyeres, France,
used their Mistral missile. Both weapons have numerous similarities: both
are infrared homing surface-to-air missiles, both have comparable range
limits, they are roughly the same weight and size. Indeed, both Marines and
French soldiers remarked at the likenesses of each missile launcher.
There are slight differences with the employment of each weapon and the unit
task organization, however, although much of this revolves around the
mission and make-up of the differing units. The 24th MEU is designed to be
flexible, scalable and rapidly deployable while the French battery is
organized as a slightly heavier force.
Cpl. Christopher Lawson, a LAAD gunner from Raleigh N.C., probably summed it
up best when describing the weapons:
"Ours is more mobile," he said. "And some of their equipment is better."
The French battery has increased capabilities due to their size. It consists
of six missile launchers, two 20 mm machine-gun trucks, a radar system, a
forward air controller, a mechanic team, and a headquarters platoon,
described Lt. Jean-Christophe Villard, a platoon leader with the 3rd
Battery, 54th Regiment, who knows a bit about both the English language and
America - he studied temporarily at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology as part of an exchange program.
"The fact that they have a radar system organic to their unit is ideal,"
said 1st Lt. Konrad Reese, officer-in-charge of the LAAD section. He added
that radar capability greatly enhances the ability to detect and remain
proactive against threats. This is the same sort of capability the LAAD
section enjoys while providing air-defense for the ships of the Iwo Jima
Amphibious Ready Group, the trio of amphibious vessels that carry the 24th
MEU across the seas.
The greatest selling point of the Stinger system is that it is a MANPAD
system; a man-portable air defense system. The Mistral claims portability as
well, but it requires a tripod system and an additional person to help carry
it on the ground, explained Lawson.
"The Marines' SOP (standing operating procedures) is a three-man team, but
we can do it with two," he said.
August 12 -13 were eventful days for both Marines and French soldiers alike
as they sighted in on a number of aircraft over the Djibouti horizon. French
Mirage 2000 jet fighters, SA-342 Gazelles and Tigre attack helicopters
appeared in the skies above the Marines and soldiers, who used the real
aircraft as friendly and simulated enemy targets.
Although it's much easier to see jets and helicopters in the daylight, both
systems are also capable of nighttime engagement, and the Marines observed
the capabilities of the French sight over their own.
"I like their thermal sights a lot," said Cpl. Rory Zavrid, a LAAD team
leader from San Diego. "The difference between ours and theirs is like the
difference between a Nintendo 64 and a Playstation 3."
The bilateral event wasn't only about technical data and optical interfaces,
however.
"Learning their weapon system is important, so we understand how each
country employs air defense," said Reese. "But we also explained some of our
tactical focus points, such as defense-in-depth, and together we learned
about each other's strengths and weaknesses. It was enlightening for all
involved because we figured out how we could complement each other if we
ever find ourselves in a real-world joint operation."
The French unit's commanding officer, Capt. Frederic Mathieu, added to
Reese's comments by explaining the event's benefits to his soldiers.
The soldiers and Marines learned a variety of things from each other, he
said. The air-defense unit will be in Djibouti for several more months and
are already planning to coordinate further events with the 24th MEU, both
military-focused and perhaps social.
"Part of camaraderie is about just simply getting together and having a good
time," said Mathieu in well-spoken English. "We hope we can visit with the
Marines more in the future."
The LAAD Marines are part of a contingent of the 24th MEU currently ashore
in Djibouti conducting various unilateral exercises and planning several
events alongside the French military. The 24th MEU is currently deployed
with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis
response force in support of the U.S. Central and Africa Commands in the
U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
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Received on Mon Aug 20 2012 - 00:34:14 EDT
